A New Take on an Old Issue: Surprising Demographics of Boomers Richard W. Johnson Urban Institute www.RetirementPolicy.org Presented at the National Human.

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Presentation on theme: "A New Take on an Old Issue: Surprising Demographics of Boomers Richard W. Johnson Urban Institute www.RetirementPolicy.org Presented at the National Human."— Presentation transcript:

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A New Take on an Old Issue: Surprising Demographics of Boomers Richard W. Johnson Urban Institute www.RetirementPolicy.org Presented at the National Human Services Assembly March 18, 2010

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org The Older Population Will Soar as the Boomers Age and Life Expectancy Increases Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org The Older Population Is Growing Faster Than the Younger Population, Partly Because Birth Rates Are Falling Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Age

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org The Older Population Is Becoming More Ethnically and Racially Diverse Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 3%

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org In 2020, One-Quarter of Seniors Will Have College Degrees Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Widowhood Among Older Women is Declining, but Divorce is Increasing Source: Unpublished data from the Office of the Chief Actuary, Social Security Admin.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org A Smaller Share of Older Men Will Be Married in Coming Decades Source: Unpublished data from the Office of the Chief Actuary, Social Security Admin.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Low Incomes Are Common Among Older African Americans, Hispanics, High School Dropouts, and Adults Age 85+ Source: Author’s computations from the HRS.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Will Senior Poverty Rates Continue to Fall? Traditional pension plans are disappearing –From 1980 to 2008, private sector coverage fell from 40% to 20% 401(k)-type plans haven’t work very well so far –low participation, investment risks Social Security’s full retirement age is rising –From 65 to 66 (for those turning 62 in 2005) to 67 (turning 62 in 2022) –Workers retiring today at 62 get only 75% of full benefits Wages have stagnated

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Male Earnings Have Not Increased in 30 Years, But Women Are Working and Earning More Source: Social Security Administration. Men Women

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Men Are Now Working Longer than They Did 16 Years Ago, Partly Because of Worries About Retirement Security Source: Urban Institute computations from BLS data.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Women Age 55-64 who Did Not Complete High School Are Especially Likely to Be Unemployed Source: Urban Institute computations from BLS data.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Employment Rates Increased for Men Age 62+ in 2009 because Few Older Men Dropped out of the Labor Force Source: Urban Institute computations from BLS data. 55-59 60-61 62-64 65-69 70-74

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Half of Older Adults Spent Less than $2,500 per 2006 on their Health Care, but 10% Spent More than about $5,300 Source: Johnson & Mommaerts (2009).

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Low-Income Older Adults Are Much More Likely To Have Disabilities Than Those with High Incomes Source: Johnson and Wiener (2006). Note: Severe disability = 3 or more ADL limitations; moderate disabilities = some ADL or IADL limitations, but not severely disabled.

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org The Older Disabled Population Will Double as the Boomers Age Source: Johnson, Toohey, and Wiener (2007).

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org Ongoing Social, Economic, and Demographic Change Will Make Family Care More Difficult Family sizes are shrinking Childlessness is growing Divorce rates are rising More women are working outside the home

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Urban Institute Retirement Policy Program www.RetirementPolicy.org The Demand for Senior Services Will Increase in Coming Decades The older population will soar as the Boomers age Even if a “retirement crisis” does not materialize, average incomes in old age will not increase much over time Changing family structures will likely reduce family help The federal government’s long-term budget problems may reduce public assistance

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